Bear Lake '09

We decided this summer that since we weren't doing any camping, we had to at least go to Bear Lake for a day. (We try to do both each summer, but it usually ends up being one or the other. This year it was Bear Lake.)

So, on a Monday morning (the nice thing about my hubby having the summer off), we made some sandwiches, packed some snacks, and headed out.Brandon had done some recollecting from his childhood, and remembered going to gather firewood up in the mountains a couple of times in his dads truck.

So, he wanted to find that route again, and take us up over. So, instead of heading through Logan canyon (like most people do), we headed up and over the German Dugway.

Scott & Gavin reading before we got into the mountains

B wanted to take a picture of me

For a while it was really nice - paved roads, up through the mountain. Then, the road was just a dirt road, but still okay. We passed a scout camp (I can't remember the name of it), and Brandon told us stories of when he was a little scoutling, and then the fun began. The road wasn't a road anymore, it was rocks, and potholes, and lots of bumps. Every time we would hit a bump, my seatbelt would tighten until it was cutting into my stomach, making me (and the baby) very uncomfortable. Eventually I just took my seatbelt off and braced myself against the dash.

We were going along some VERY rough road, when we had to stop due to some people in front of us. They were in a Nissan Xtera (or something along those lines), and a Suburban, but were not sure of going any farther. They had a guy on a 4-wheeler scout out ahead of them, and when he came back, he told them it just got worse.

So, they pulled forward to a grassy spot (we think it was the only grassy spot on the whole mountainside big enough to pull off onto), and we were able to pass them. I was nervous, because we had heard the report that it got worse, but after only half a mile to a mile, it leveled out and the road became smooth again, and was smooth the rest of the way down.

You can see some of the road we came up

A break for the boys while the other cars moved.

The road was similar to what the boys are climbing on - very rocky. We had to drive up and over several big rocks. Once we were on the dirt road, though, we got the bikes out for the older boys and let them ride a ways down the mountain. B didn't make it as long as Scott did, but Scott was determined to go as far as he could. He finally gave up (the road was very dusty, making it hard to bike on), so the boys sat in the back of the truck while we drove down.

Scott & B riding down the road

'da boys - chillin'

We stopped at an ice cave that Brandon remembered and wandered around there for a little bit, climbing the rocks and playing. Then, we hopped back in the truck and finished our journey to the lake.

Brandon & Gavin at the entrance of the ice cave

A boardwalk you had to walk over to get to the ice and the climbing rocks

Lots of ice and snow - we only had flip flops on, too! Cold!

Brandon watching the boys climb back down the mountainside

Once there, we stripped the boys shirts off and slathered them in sunscreen and let them go. Brandon sat the chairs out for us, and I just sat and watched so we didn't lose sight of the boys. Gavin was in heaven!!! The water was cold, but our bodies quickly adjusted. We had a hard time getting Gavin to come in for lunch because he was having so much fun.

In heaven!!!

Brandon "skimming" Gavin across the top of the water

Everybody going out to play - we walked out quite a ways before it got deep

Eventually, though, he came in, and then got really cold. We wrapped him up in his towel and I just held him for a bit. Then, he headed back out with all of us to play some more. After that, though, he was done. He wrapped up in a big blanket that we brought and just laid his head on the sand trying to get warm.

I'm so cold, Mom

While he was warming up, Brandon & the other boys started to build a sand castle. It because quite the project, and by the time they were done, both boys were proud of the "kingdom" they had made - complete with a moat, the "ocean," and a tributary bringing water from the "ocean" to the castle. It was quite fun, and we all were able to get involved.

Building our sand castle

The finished product

Then, we packed up and headed home. It had been a long day, and were all tired. This time, we drove on normal roads, and were able to make it home with very few bumps.

So very tired . . . zzzz